I feel terrible that I worked in an era
before digital cameras or cell phones as I did not capture all of the things
that I did in my school library to recognize the students and
make it a true learning environment. On this page I have
just a few pictures that I had taken to illustrate what I did.

My favorite Library Bulletin Board that was in the hallway
right outside the library. Note the sign: We are Open 24
hours which gave the URL of my library site which became this
website after I retired.

The complete renovation of the book shelves and the reference
section; the excellent periodical section; the health careers
and paperback sections; the author of the month display -- all
combine to make your library a revitalized resource unit for
student-centered learning activities. Undoubtedly, the
creativity, concern, enthusiasm and professional competence of
Jerry Blumengarten will make your library a vital adjunct to
your school's daily instructional program. (Leon Weisman -
Language Arts Coordinator - District 19)

"I wanted to tell you
how impressed I was with the fine job you are doing with the library
facility at I.S. #218. Your exceptional program was like an oasis in the
desert. Keep up the good work..." (Michael G. Fischer - Associate -
State Education Department)

My vision for the school library when I took it over was it to
be the focal point of the school. I wanted students who
entered to have an enjoyable learning environment. Each
month when you walked into the library you celebrated that
month's important holidays and events.

I had a map of the world that showed the
countries that the staff and students had come from. I
also had the flags of these countries prominently posted.

I celebrated our former graduates and their
accomplishments. One former grad was the World's
Heavyweight Boxing Champion, another was an author.

Each marking quarter I posted all the members of the honor roll and left
them up throughout the school year. The students enjoyed seeing
their names posted and others strived to get their names listed.

Every achievement such as participants in
district Science, Spelling, Math competitions was posted.

The names of the Student Council, PTA were also shown.

Teaching Notes: My Monthly CalendarFor each month I made a monthly calendar on a
large poster board. For each day I found an important personís birthday or
important event. I used these posters each year. Without
even realizing it I had created a multicultural calendar of famous people
and events.

"Thank you so much
for hosting our Middle School Librarians meeting in your library. We are
grateful to you for allowing us to have the pleasure of experiencing a
library that is being used for just what a library is intended to do.
Your library is conducive to reading, relaxing, concentrating and
getting away from the "hum-drum" of life itself. I am extremely happy to
see how well your library is being utilized, not only by the children of
I.S. 218, but by the staff, parents, principal and visitors..." (Dorothy
E. Mathison, Ed.D. Director of CA/SS & Libraries - District 19)

"Just a short note to
personally thank you for all your efforts in helping to make Friday's
visit by the Deputy Superintendent and her staff a successful one. As
always, it is a pleasure to hold a conference in your library. Aside
from the fact that it is possibly the best Middle School library in
Brooklyn, you have made the space very warm and inviting. Thanks also
for your presentation to the principals and facilitators on how you have
managed to use technology to its fullest in supplying teachers and
students with the most current information available on the Web. I
apologize for having usurped the time from our students who use the
library on a regular basis." (Ron Attivissimo - Principal - Sinnott
Magnet School)